Fingernail guard



Jan. 11, 1949". J. H. KAYER 2,458,709

' FINGERNAIL GUARD I Filed Aug. 51, 1946 f INVENTOR.

A TTORIVE Y Patented Jan. 11, 1949 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE FINGERNAIL GUARD Jean H. Kayer, Hollywood, Calif. Application August 31, 1946, Serial No. 694,131

7 Claims.

This invention relates to human nail guards, or protectors, and more particularly to a device for protecting a fingernail against breaking during housework, during th drying period after enameling, and for other similar uses.

An object of the present invention is to provide a protector having spaced overstanding relation to a fingernail and held from contact therewith by engagement with the first joint of the finger whereby relative movement of the protector and the first phalanx of the finger is obviated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a protector which has end engagement with the finger tip to thereby hold the protector against inward displacement without covering the pads of the finger tips.

Another object of the invention is to provide a protector as indicated which embodies a portion adapted to engage between a fingernail and the adjacent finger tip to hold said protector aligned with the end phalanx of a finger.

My invention also has for its objects to provide such means that are positive in operation, convenient in use, easily installed in a working position and easily disconnected therefrom, economical of manufacture, relatively simple, and of general superiority and serviceability.

The invention also comprises novel details of construction and novel combinations and arrangements of parts, which will more fully appear in the course of the following description. However, the drawings merely show and the following description merely describes one embodiment of the present invention, which is given by way of illustration or example only.

In the drawings, like reference characters designate similar parts of the several views.

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a finger protector embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is an end View thereof.

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view as taken on line 33 of Fig. 2, showing the protector in operative position on a finger.

The finger guard or protector which is illustrated in the drawing comprises, generally, a fingernail covering portion 5, a finger tip engaging portion 6, and a finger joint encompassing mounting band 1. These elements are preferably formed as an integral unit of sheet metal or one of the plastic materials such as cellulose acetate. While generally rigid, the device may have a degree of pliability so that the elements may yield and accommodate themselves to inadvertent momentarily occurring stresses and shocks and return to its proper position.

The portion 5 is shown as transversely arched or curved and reducingly tapered from the'band 1 toward its outer end. The curved peripheral edge 8 of the portion 5 is so shaped as to enclose an area ample to cover a fingernail, as shown in Fig. 3 and when made of plastic, may be readily out or filed by scissors or nail file to the particular nail shape affected by the wearer.

The portion 6 is generally co-extensive with the portion 5, but preferably somewhat shorter. Said portion comprises an end part 9 and side connecting strips I0 integrally connecting the part 9 with the band end of the portion 5. The strips l9 and the portion 5 are spaced by a slot II. The part 9 is suitably shaped to abut against a finger tip as shown, and its upper portion I2 is inwardly curved or bent to engage between the finger tip and the fingernail.

The band I is shown with an overlap [3 at the bottom thereof so that said band maybe comfortably fitted over finger joints of various sizes. However, said band may be formed as a complete endless circle in which case the protector may be made in various sizes and sold in sets of ten to fit the different fingers ofa pair of hands.

It will be noted that the portion 5 is offset upwardly from the band I and connected thereto by a curved portion l4 so that the portion 5 is disposed in spaced relation to the fingernail as desired, air being free to reach the fingernail through the slots II and under the forward end thereof.

The portion 5 may, optionally, be provided with perforations I5 for the purpose of permitting free circulation over the surface of the fingernail to hasten hardening of applied enamel.

In use, the protector is simply passed over the first phalanx of a finger until the part 9 abuts the finger tip. The length of the protector is such that the band i will encircle the first joint of the finger which is thereby immobilized. The band, together with the bent portion I2 of the part 9, will hold the protector aligned and the portion 5 in desired spaced relation to the fingernail.

The protectors, when applied, do not materially impair the use of the fingers and will remain in place until removed.

While I have illustrated and described what I now regard as the preferred embodiment of my invention, the construction is, of course, subject to modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention. I, therefore, do not and spaced thereby from the fingernail; and astrap-like finger tip engaging portion formed integral with said band and effective to prevent inward displacement of the protector-,but separate from the nail protector to afiord access of air to the fingernail, said strap-like portion being formed to expose the under portion of the end joint of the finger upon which it is mounted.

2. A fingernail protector as set forth in claim 1, andin which said strap-like member is provided with an upwardly and backwardly extending portion at its forward end efiective to engage between the tip of the finger and the fingernail.

3; A fingernail guard comprising: a fingernail covering portion; a finger tip engaging portion separate from the fingernail covering portion at its forward end; and a band portion for engaging the first joint of a finger and integral with the fingernail covering portion and the finger tip engaging portion, the fingernail portion being so supported by the band as to space the fingernail coveringportion from the; fingernail when inuse.

4. A fingernail guard as set forth in claim 3 and in which the fingernail covering portion is provided with perforations aiding in the circulation of air over the fingernail.

5; A *fingemail guardcomprising: a fingernail covering portion which is shaped .to the contour of the fingernail; a band adapted to extend over and immobilize the first joint of a digit upon which it is mounted and effective to support the 4 fingernail guard in spaced relation to the fingernail and a finger tip engaging portion secured to said band and arranged to extend around the sides and end of the finger tip in spaced relation to and unconnected at the forward end with the fingernail covering portion, said finger tip engaging portion curving upwardly and backwardly over the finger tip to engage under the finger nail.

6. A fingernail guard as set forth in claim 1 and in which the band is formed as a divided ring of resilient material with overlapped ends whereby the fingernail guard may be mounted securely upon fingers differing in thickness.

7. A fingernail protector including: a band effective to mount the nail protector on the outermost joint of the finger to thereby immobilize said joint; a nail guard supported by an integral REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 7 Name Date 490,733 Armat Jan. 31, 1893 2,251,551 OReilly Aug. 5, 1941 2,323,854 Silverman July 6, 1943 2,409,101 Brittingham Oct. .8, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 182,830 Switzerland July 1, 1936 

